20042025-ATR-01.qxd 4/19/2025 11:06 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MC TO CHECK STATUS OF 48 SEALED ILLEGAL BUILDINGS MEET ACTORS WHO WILL BE SEEN IN PATRIOTIC FILMS IT DOESN’T TAKE MUCH TO BREATHE LIFE INTO YOUR LIVING SPACE The MC has disconnected water and sewer connections of 30 out of 48 unauthorized hotels. P2 FarhanAkhtarreturnswithepic120Bahadur, Sikandar Kher will be seen in Ikkis, Varun Dhawan is gearing up for Border 2. P4 If your home feels a bit dull lately—like it’s waiting to exhale—maybe it’s time to add a little soul back into it. P4 » » » MAX 34°C | MIN 23°C YESTERDAY MAX 34°C | MIN 24°C SUNSET SUNDAY 6.50 PM SUNRISE MONDAY 5.49 AM SUNDAY | 20 APRIL 2025 | AMRITSAR Rural police arrest three with Glock pistols, heroin, drug money Tribune News Service 47-year-old land dispute resolved AIT to re-acquire prime 10.76 acre plot worth ~500 crore in Ranjit Avenue Charanjit Singh Teja Amritsar, April 19 Acting on a tip-off, the Special Cell of the Amritsar rural police have seized seven Glock pistols (9mm), seven magazines, 2 kg heroin, ~2 lakh drug money and arrested three cross-border drug smugglers in this connection. Those arrested were identified as Jatinder Singh, alias Rosha, a resident of Kaunke village, Ranjeet Singh, alias Jeet, of Dhothian village and Karan of Sarpanch Wala Chowk in Mohakampura locality here. The SSP Amritsar (Rural), , said the accused were in contact with Pakistani smugglers and recently had retrieved the consignments of weapons and drugs. “They were going to deliver the consignment using a black-coloured three-wheeler (auto-rickshaw) when they were intercepted by a police party near Boparai Baj Singh Tribune News Service Three suspects in custody of the Amritsar rural police. village,” he said. He said during search, the police recovered seven Glock pistols (9mm), seven magazines, seven rounds and also impounded the auto-rickshaw. During further investigations, the police also recovered 2kg heroin and ~2 lakh of drug money from their possession. The SSP said a probe was on to establish their forward and backward linkages and strict legal action will be taken against anyone found involved. The police have registered a case under the Arms Act at the Lopoke police station here. Residents up in arms as newly constructed road gives way Tribune News Service Amritsar, April 19 In a major development, the Amritsar Improvement Trust (AIT) will now reacquire 10.76 acres of prime land in Ranjit Avenue, valued at approximately Rs 500 crore, following a favourable decision from the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The land, which is part of a 97-acre segment in the Ranjit Avenue development scheme, had been under legal dispute for over four decades. Karamjit Singh Rintu, Chairman, Amritsar Improvement Trust, who recently took charge on March 17, appeared before the High Court via video conference and presented detailed legal arguments in support of the Trust. His submission played a key role in the court’s April 8 verdict, which directed the Trust to re-acquire the land within The Amritsar Improvement Trust building. four months, at horticulture land rates. The origin of the dispute dates back to 1978, when the Trust launched the Ajnala Road scheme covering 537 acres. In 1991, a group of landowners filed a petition to exclude 97 acres, claiming the area was used for horticulture. The High Court formed a committee which identified 10.76 acres as orchard land. In 2001, the court ruled that this portion should remain designated for horticulture, while allowing development on the rest of the land. In 2005, the AIT passed a resolution to exclude the land from the scheme and sent the propos- al to the state government, which agreed. The landowners subsequently deposited exemption fees in 2013-14. In 2016, the landowners sought a Change of Land Use (CLU) through the High Court. The court directed them to approach the Trust, which later referred the matter to the state government. In 2021, the Trust resubmitted the proposal, stating that while the government could permit commercial use of horticultural land, it had to be done within legal limits. In January 2022, the landowners filed a fresh CLU application. However, in September 2022, the Trust rejected the request, reiterating that no change was possible as the area was classified strictly for horticulture. The Punjab Government approved this position in June 2024, instructing that the land be re-acquired in line with court orders. Despite this, the landowners filed multiple contempt of court petitions in 2025. The High Court, after reviewing the case, issued a final directive on April 8 that the Trust must complete the acquisition process within four months, and at horticulture rate. The AIT will initiate the land acquisition process shortly and conduct a socioeconomic survey to understand the needs of the area. Although the land is in a commercial zone, development will only proceed as per the High Court’s directives. AIT Chairman Karamjit Singh Rintu emphasised that after assuming charge, he ensured that the matter was represented thoroughly before the court. He stated that the April 8 order is a major step forward in resolving a case that had been pending for 47 years and reaffirmed the Trust’s commitment to fair, legal and transparent development in the city. Dev works launched in Admn gears up to protect wheat Jandiala Guru, Ajnala from showers, arranges tarpaulins under Sikhiya Kranti Tribune News Service Amritsar, April 19 Residents of the Khankot area near Garden Enclave are up in arms after a new road, constructed barely two months back, developed large potholes and begun to sink, raising serious concerns about the quality of construction. The damaged road has triggered strong resentment among locals who are now demanding strict action against the contractor and municipal officials under whose supervision it was constructed. Local residents revealed that three roads in the area had been dug up earlier for the installation of sewerage pipelines. However, during the municipal elections, only one road was repaired with a superficial layer of gravel and tar, while the other two were neglected. Now, just weeks after its completion, the condition of even this road has started to deteriorate, sinking at several places and developing dangerous pot- holes. Residents have appealed to the administration for immediate reconstruction of all the roads in the area to ease commuting challenges faced by people from the three surrounding villages. Ironically, theses roads were recarpeted after an AIenabled survey of roads, conducted on the orders of Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann. Junior Engineer in the Municipal Corporation Rajesh Sharma stated that the con- Two groups clash over land, 1 injured Petrol pump staffer’s murder: 2 Lack of trolleys at city airport irks flyers suspects injured in encounter Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Amritsar, April 19 A land dispute between two groups turned ugly at Shahoora village falling under the Lopoke police station here when a group of armed persons fired at another group leaving one person injured. The police have registered a case in this connection and launched further probe. Jaswant Singh, brother of the victim, alleged that they had a land dispute with Fauja Singh, Sukhwinder Singh and Balwinder Singh, who were claiming ownership of their ancestral land. He said today, the accused started a quarrel and fired gunshots at them leaving his brother injured. He was rushed to hospital where his condition is stated to be serious. Meanwhile, the police have booked Fauja Singh, Balwinder Singh, Sukhwinder Singh, Gurbhej Singh, Gursahib Singh and Akashdeep Singh in this regard. Amritsar, April 19 Four days after a petrol pump employee was shot dead and another was left injured in an alleged robbery bid in Majitha, the Amritsar Rural Police have arrested two of the suspects after a brief exchange of fire at Thariyewal village here. The duo, identified as Amarbir Singh, alias Raghu, and Akashdeep Singh, both residents of Naushehra Nangli village, had sustained bullet injuries in the legs and they were admitted to the Majitha Civil Hospital here. Deputy Superintendent of Police (Majitha) Amolak Singh said Prabhjit Singh, SHO, Majiitha police station, got intelligence inputs regarding their presence near Thariyewal village following which a naka was laid. At a checkpoint, a team of cops signalled bike-borne persons to stop, but they fired Tribune News Service The Khankot road which was dug up a month after being recarpeted in Amritsar. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR tractor attributed the damage to the underlying sewerage work. However, he clarified that the sewerage line is quite deep and the real issue lies in poor roadwork. “The gravel base was not compacted properly during construction, which has led to the road surface giving way,” he admitted. Locals are now waiting to see if the administration will take swift action to address the issue and ensure accountability in public infrastructure projects. Amritsar, April 19 Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO today dedicated the development works done in his constituency of Jandiala Guru at an estimated cost of Rs 1.36 crore under the Sikhiya Kranti programme to the schoolchildren. The minister visited the government elementary schools at Gunnowal, Dharad, Taragarh, Mallian and Balian Manjhpur. He also visited the Government Middle School, Dharad, Government Senior Secondary School, Taragarh, and Government Senior Secondary School at Mallian. The minister inaugurated rooms, science labs, playgrounds and four walls in the presence of schoolchildren and village dignitaries during his visit. Addressing the villagers, ETO said that the villages will progress and the state too will develop when children, the future of Punjab, get quality education. Following the programme outline, several AAP leaders continued inaugurating development works in several schools today as well. Cabinet Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal inaugurated development works done at a cost of about Rs 64 lakh at Government Primary School, Machhinangal, Government Elementary School, Khatray Khurd, Government High School, Khatray Kalan and Government High School, Jhander, in his constituency of Ajnala. Dhaliwal said that the state government was making special efforts to connect students with sports along with providing modern education in schools so that students can continued on page 2 Amritsar, April 19 Considering the inclement weather conditions, the district administration has instructed Mandi Board and commission agents at all the grain markets in the district to procure maximum number of tarpaulin sheets to protect the grains from getting wet. Officials said as rain was reported from different areas of the state, grain lying in the open at grain markets across the district could be drenched, which would not only cause increased moisture content but also lead to loss of lustre. Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney said most of the grain markets have sheds, but as a large space is required to store the produce during the harvesting season, these are not enough. She said a large quantity of produce is unloaded in the open and it Labourers busy in work at the Bhagtanwala grain market in Amritsar on Saturday. PHOTO: SUNIL KUMAR becomes necessary to protect it from inclement weather, especially rain. The Deputy Commissioner said the tarpaulin sheets should be given to farmers to cover the heaps of grain. She said the district administration is making all efforts to ensure that the procurement process is completed smoothly. Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service Cops and forensic experts at the crime spot at Majitha in Amritsar. at the police party in their bid to escape from the spot. In a retaliatory firing in selfdefence, the two suffered bullet injuries in the legs. He said further investigations were in progress to identify their third accomplice. Gautam Kumar, a UP migrant, was shot dead while Amit had suffered a gunshot injury on the face during the robbery bid. Gautam suffered a bullet injury in the chest and doctors declared him dead on arrival. The petrol pump located at Kaler Mangat village belonged to SAD leader Jodh Singh Samra. Following the incident, former Punjab minister and senior SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia had claimed it continued on page 2 c m y b Amritsar, April 19 Local activists and air passengers have raised concerns over the lack of basic passenger amenities at Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport, Amritsar, particularly the nonavailability of baggage trolleys and wheelchair assistance at the departure terminal. The issue was highlighted following the recent experience of Sameep Singh Gumtala, Convener of the FlyAmritsar Initiative, who recently departed from the airport on a flight to Dubai. Gumtala said he arrived at around 6.45 am for his flight with a family member and found no trolleys available near the departure entrance. The two had to carry three bags for check-in, two carryons, and a laptop bag into the terminal without any assistance. “It was shocking to see passengers walking all the way to the arrival terminal side just to find a trolley or dragging multiple luggage. There were no signs, no staff and no clear instructions regarding where The Amritsar airport. to find trolleys or wheel chairs at the departure terminal. We expect better from an international airport where crores are spent on infrastructure and passengers are charged fees, yet the basic needs, including Wi-Fi internet, are being ignored,” said Gumtala. Gumtala stressed the need for a dedicated, clearly marked, trolley pickup zone near the departure entry gate, along with staff assigned to manage and refill them. “If needed, install automated paid systems, this would prevent misuse and ensure trolleys are available when truly needed.” He also highlighted a more concerning issue affecting elderly and disabled passengers, the lack of visible wheelchair assistance booths or designated help points on the departure terminal side. The Mandi Board officials said the harvesting of wheat crop is picking up pace slowly. They said harvesting would start full throttle from the next week, which would witness rush at grain markets. The officials stated that farmers should bring fully ripened crop to the markets so that it could be procured the same day. “Physically challenged passengers arriving at the departure side struggle to find help. In some cases, the porters or helpers who do appear demand excessive money from passengers, taking advantage of their vulnerability,” Gumtala added. Jass Singh, a regular international traveller from Amritsar, said, “It is unfortunate that such basic shortcomings continue to trouble international travellers, especially when flying out of their home city,” Jass Singh stated. Office-bearers of the FlyAmritsar Initiative and the Amritsar Vikas Manch said during some past meetings with airport officials, the matter had been raised multiple times. The officials assured that trolleys were being procured, but what use are these trolleys if they are not managed properly during the peak hours. The organisations are formally appealing to the Airports Authority of India and Amritsar Airport Director SK Kapahi to take immediate and concrete steps to resolve these issues.